Stylohyoid muscle

The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles. Its originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone; it inserts onto hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve. It acts draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards.

Structure
The stylohyoid is a slender muscle. It is directed inferoanteriorly from its origin towards its insertion.

It is perforated near its insertion by the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle.

Origin
The muscle arises from the posterior surface of the temporal styloid process; it arises near the base of the process. It arises by a small tendon of origin.

Insertion
The muscle inserts onto the body of hyoid bone at the junction of the body and greater cornu.

The site of insertion is situated immediately superior to that of the superior belly of omohyoid muscle.

Vasculature
The stylohyoid muscle receives arterial supply branches of the facial artery, posterior auricular artery, and occipital artery.

Innervation
The stylohyoid muscle receives motor innervation from the stylohyoid branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Relations
The muscle is situated anterosuperior to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.

Variation
It may be absent or doubled. It may be situated medial to the carotid artery. It may insert suprahyoid muscles of infrahyoid muscles.

Actions/movements
The stylohyoid muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone (i.e. draws it superiorly and posteriorly).

Function
The stylohyoid muscle elongates the floor of the mouth. It initiates a swallowing.